What to do about the Vuvuzela

If you have watched even a second of a World Cup soccer match, then you have no doubt heard the annoying and incessant sound of the many vuvuzelas played by fans. For those who are not aware (I was not at first), a vuvuzela is a horn that creates a loud buzzing sound; the instrument is roughly 3 feet in length. 

You know the annoying sound that a plane makes right before takeoff? Well, think of that sound constantly being made throughout the duration of an entire soccer game. By all accounts, from the coaches, players, officials, TV and radio commentators, and audiences tuning into the action, the vuvuzela sound greatly interrupts from the game; it is a distraction to all. 

I am not a particularly big soccer fan, and have only watched one game thus far (England vs. United States), and after watching the first 10 minutes of the game I have little desire to tune in again. I can live with the sport being relatively boring as I will pull for the United States against other countries regardless of what sport is being played, but the buzzing sounds literally gave me a throbbing headache. Rather than going to refill my chips and salsa bowls midway through the game, I found myself running to the medicine cabinet in search of Advil. 

It is no mystery that soccer is a sport that has struggled to gain the attention of much of the United States, and I can tell you for absolute certain that these ridiculous, devilish, and disturbing instruments will not help to garner the attention of many Americans. 

Mike and Mike in the Morning discuss their hatred for the vuvuzela during the Confederations Cup in 2009. Clearly, things have not changed since then.

Fearless Prediction: Tim Lincecum pitches at least 7 innings and allows one earned run or less against the lowly Baltimore Orioles.